Preseason Top 10: Division 1

<p>Who are the top 10 teams in Division 1 heading into the 2021-22 season? Prep Hoops Wisconsin drops our rankings prior to opening tip-off.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>1.  Menomonee Falls</strong></p> <p><em>2020-21 Record: </em>17-8 (10-6)</p> <p><em>WIAA Playoff Finish: </em>Lost to Kimberly in the Sectional Finals<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Seth-Trimble2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1292190" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/Seth-Trimble2-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p>There’s not a better 1-2 punch in the state than [player_tooltip player_id="1129756" first="Seth" last="Trimble"] (23.3 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="801135" first="Steven" last="Clay"] (18.8 ppg).  The North Carolina commit Trimble is the favorite to take home Mr. Basketball honors in 2021-22. The Phoenix are deeper than they get credit for. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="865843" first="Grant" last="Martin"] (7.1 ppg) has had a terrific off-season. Falls will also get contributions from junior [player_tooltip player_id="1012673" first="Cole" last="Sciortino"], who missed last season due to injury, senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="801159" first="Greg" last="Kemp"], senior guard Quentin Redding, and senior wing [player_tooltip player_id="1089755" first="Devyn" last="Orr"] among others.</p> <p><strong>2. De Pere</strong></p> <p><em>2020-21 Record: 22-4</em></p> <p><em>WIAA Playoff Finish: </em>Lost to River Falls in the Sectional Finals</p> <p>The Redbirds were one shot away from playing in the state tournament last season. Junior guard Johnny Kinziger (22.5 ppg) returns after a stellar sophomore season. De Pere should have plenty of depth  and experience provided by senior guards Max Donaldson (8.3 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="1089756" first="Jack" last="Jorgensen"] (10.8 ppg). If sophomore forwards  [player_tooltip player_id="1193234" first="Will" last="Hornseth"] and Ben Willinghanz  can make a big jump,  the Redbirds have the shooting, skill, and size  to take home the gold ball.</p> <p><strong>3. Kimberly</strong></p> <p><em>2020-21 Record: </em>25-3 (17-1)</p> <p><em>WIAA Playoff Finish: </em> Lost to Wauwatosa East in the State Championship<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Owen-Pawlikowski1.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1260572" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Owen-Pawlikowski1-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a></p> <p>There are some tough losses to overcome, but don’t throw in the towel  on Kimberly. Senior guard and Wofford commit [player_tooltip player_id="801149" first="Jackson" last="Paveletzke"]  (19.2 ppg) and he’s as dangerous of a scorer as there is in the state. His running mate, St. Leo commit [player_tooltip player_id="1017073" first="Owen" last="Pawlikowski"] (8.8 ppg) will take on more of a primary role as well. The Papermakers have had a lot of talent waiting in the wings, including junior wing [player_tooltip player_id="981150" first="Seth" last="Miron"], [player_tooltip player_id="985203" first="Michael" last="Asman"], [player_tooltip player_id="1203240" first="Carson" last="Pendleton"], and others.</p> <p><strong>4. Neenah </strong></p> <p><em>2020-21 Record: </em>23-3 (17-1)</p> <p><em>WIAA Playoff Finish: </em>Lost to Kimberly in the Regional Finals</p> <p>The Rockets are going to have to roll without junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="963148" first="Cal" last="Klesmit"], who had a terrific sophomore season and is a top five prospect in 2023, due to a  season-ending injury. There’s still plenty in the cupboard here, including Merrimack commit Chevalier Emery (12.9 ppg) and senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="950099" first="Carter" last="Thomas"] (13.2 ppg).  Neenah also has a pair of sleepers in their frontcourt, seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1244880" first="Eli" last="Schmidt"]  (5.6 ppg) and [player_tooltip player_id="988975" first="J.J." last="Paider"] (4.6 ppg), who are each playing their best basketball going into the winter.  Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1023721" first="Sam" last="Coulthard"] and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1203253" first="Brady" last="Corso"] are also capable of  surprising and lifting this team to great heights.</p> <p><strong>5. Eau Claire Memorial </strong></p> <p><em>2020-21 Record:  </em>13-9 (6-6)<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Lj-Wells-1.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1241201" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/Lj-Wells-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p><em>WIAA Playoff Finish: </em> Lost to Eau Claire North in the regional finals</p> <p>Concordia St. Paul commit [player_tooltip player_id="1129309" first="Will" last="Boser"] (20.7 ppg) is coming off a huge junior season. He’ll have his running mate in the backcourt, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="865850" first="Mekhi" last="Shaw"] back, who missed all of last season due to injury. The Old Abes are also expecting big things from senior wing/forward [player_tooltip player_id="1189004" first="L.J." last="Wells"], who had a terrific breakout summer and provides a ton of athleticism and game-changing ability.</p> <p><strong><span style="font-size: 1rem;">6. Brookfield Central</span></strong></p> <p><em>2020-21 Record: </em> 19-6 (12-4)</p> <p><em>WIAA Playoff Finish: </em> Lost to Wauwatosa East in the Regional Finals</p> <p>Look for St. Thomas commit [player_tooltip player_id="801148" first="Andrew" last="Rohde"] to  (14.5 ppg)  to carry things early, but the Lancers have some pieces that should develop as the season wears on.  Based on his fall league performances, Rohde is in store to put up some huge scoring numbers. If Brookfield Central is going to make a deep run in March, they’ll need big things from sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id="1142131" first="Jack" last="Daugherty"]. Look for junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1023255" first="Drew" last="Edmond"], senior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1203010" first="Steve" last="Tipton"], and freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id="1272671" first="Anthony" last="Rise"] to emerge for the Lancers  as they try and replace David Joplin (Marquette) and Ben Nau (St. Thomas).</p> <p><strong>7. Brookfield East</strong></p> <p><em>2020-21 Record: </em> 19-5 (12-4)</p> <p><em>WIAA Playoff Finish: </em> Lost to Brookfield Central in the regional semifinals<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/f9k72f.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1213702" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/f9k72f-300x153.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="153" /></a></p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="1085205" first="Dan" last="Gherezgher"] (14.0 ppg) is one of the best players in the state that a lot of people haven’t heard of yet. A fluid and effortless scorer,  Gherezgher has takeover ability on that end of the floor. Junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1039325" first="Matthew" last="Schmainda"] (10.5 ppg) is also one of the most improved players in the state. The Spartans are deeper than people know and will get good contributions from  junior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1261074" first="Nollenn" last="Tabaska"], senior guard Michael Francken, junior guard [player_tooltip player_id="1138442" first="Joe" last="Stewart"], and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1203046" first="Andrew" last="Graf"].</p> <p><strong>8. Arrowhead</strong></p> <p><em>2020-21 Record: </em>17-10 (12-4)</p> <p><em>WIAA Playoff Finish: </em>  Lost to DeForest in the Sectional Semifinals</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="953945" first="Mac" last="Wrecke"] (24.9 ppg) had a monster sophomore season and nearly took the Warhawks to the state tournament. An athletic, blue-collar wing, Wrecke is currently the No. 2 ranked junior in the state.  Sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id="1142119" first="Bennett" last="Basich"] (8.6 ppg) got his feet wet last season and has made sizable jumps in the off-season as both a floor general and a scorer. Guard play will be a strength of this team as both junior [player_tooltip player_id="1141628" first="Austin" last="Villareal"] and senior Jackson Raasch are steady contributors.</p> <p><strong>9. West Allis Central</strong></p> <p><em>2020-21 Record:  </em>14-9 (6-6)</p> <p><em>WIAA Playoff Finish: </em>Lost to Franklin in the Regional Finals<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/tbe6n8.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1242928" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/07/tbe6n8-300x155.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="155" /></a></p> <p>Talent has been a question with this group, but 2021-22 could be the year the Bulldogs put it all together. Air Force commit [player_tooltip player_id="988976" first="Greyson" last="Pritzl"] (17.0 ppg) has been an absolute monster as of late. The walking bucket is a legit threat to put up 30 points every time he steps on the floor. Northern Michigan commit [player_tooltip player_id="761411" first="Najashi" last="Tolefree"] (19.1 ppg) averaged a double-double last season. Senior forward [player_tooltip player_id="1200544" first="Josiah" last="Gille"] will be one of the biggest x-factors in the state with his infectious hustle and energy.</p> <p><strong>10. Appleton East</strong></p> <p><em>2020-21 Record: </em>9-14 (7-11)</p> <p><em>WIAA Playoff Finish: </em> Lost to West De Pere in the Regional Semifinals</p> <p>The Patriots will be one of the most improved teams in the state. East  finished tied for sixth in the Fox Valley Association, but this team has their sights set on winning the league in 2021-22. East has a loaded returning cast, including senior guard <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/tyler-borowski/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="801152" first="Tyler" last="Borowski"]</span><span class="info-box"><span class="player-img"><img class=" ls-is-cached lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Wisconsin-Crusaders-AD-16U-Tyler-Borowski-2-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/07/Wisconsin-Crusaders-AD-16U-Tyler-Borowski-2-150x150.jpg" /></span></span></a> (14.0), who missed most of the season due to injury, senior guard  <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/zach-steigenberger/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="988704" first="Zach" last="Steigenberger"]</span><span class="info-box"><span class="player-img"><img class=" lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200912_141420-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2020/08/20200912_141420-150x150.jpg" /></span></span></a> (13.8 ppg), and junior forward,  <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/caleb-glaser/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="1138440" first="Caleb" last="Glaser"]</span><span class="info-box"><span class="player-img"><img class=" lazyloaded" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Caleb-Glaser-150x150.jpg" data-src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/04/Caleb-Glaser-150x150.jpg" /></span></span></a> (12.3 pgg), who’s one of the most improved players in the state. Sophomore guard <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prephoops.com/player/joey-lachapell/"><span class="name-pointer">[player_tooltip player_id="1258392" first="Joey" last="Lachapell"] </span></a>  (5.2 ppg) got his feet wet last season and emerged as a top 50 player in the 2024 class over the summer.</p> <p><strong>Honorable Mention</strong>: Homestead,  Stevens Point, Madison La Follette,  Kaukauna, Waukesha South, Oconomowoc, Sun Prairie, Madison Memorial, Madison La Follette, Sussex Hamilton, Franklin, Milwaukee King, Middleton, Racine Case, Wauwatosa East, D.C. Everest</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>